A Graceful Departure
Golf
Tom Watson birdied the 18th hole on The Old Course at St Andrews yesterday to sign off in style at the Home of Golf, having failed to make the cut at this, the 150th Anniversary Open Championship.
Golfing greats, including Tiger Woods, stood aside as Tom Watson played to the 18th green in his last appearance at St Andrews at an Open Championship, and bade farewell to one of the greatest. Iconic names have stood on The Swilcan Bridge and displayed similar grace walking up to the 18th green on their final appearance. Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were three of the greatest to do so. Tom Watson was in the three ball with Jack Nicklaus and Luke Donald which signed off Nicklaus’ exceptional career, and on Firday night he became the most recent to say his goodbyes to Open Championship golf at St Andrews. His symbolic kissing of the Swilcan Bridge showed his deep affection for the famous course.
Hopefully, it won’t be his last Open, as due to his 2009 exploits at Turnberry and an R&A exemption till age 65, (depending on form and fitness) we all hope to see him grace the fairways and greens of Royal St Georges; Lytham & St Annes; Muirfield; and Royal Liverpool, over the next few years.
A delightful chip at 18, revealed a rare touch, and feel for the club, ball and territory. It came within inches of being an eagle 2, and was almost the perfect send-off, but a two inch tap in for birdie, and lengthy appreciation from the adoring galleries, was a fitting finale.
His remarkable deeds at Turnberry twelve months ago, where the 59 year old American led after the first round, and was within a stroke of winning a sixth Open Championship on the final green. At the scene of one his greatest triumphs, where his victory in 1977 over Jack Nicklaus was famously named ‘the duel in the sun’, Watson was class personified. Pity Stewart Cink, who beat Watson in a four-hole Play-off, and ruined the fairytale ending. Despite being a popular man, Cink became the most unpopular champion!
Watson’s quality during the tournament shone like a beacon throughout. His grace at the end of the draining and ultimately unsuccessful Play-off, was the hallmark of a true sporting great. Unknown to many people, Tom Watson flew down to London straight away and was ‘on parade’ at a charity event the following day at The Berkshire Golf Club in Ascot, where he performed a ‘beat the pro’ at the Par 3 1st hole on The Blue Course, honoring a prior agreement.
He then played in the Pro-Am at Sunningdale before The Seniors British Open, made a charming speech in the Clubhouse in front of members and sponsors about his love of Sunningdale and his remarkable experience at Turnberry 48 hours earlier, before turning his attention to competing alongside his fellow golfing greats on Sunningdale’s revered Old Course. After each round he dutifully signed every autograph request and photo opportunity as well as mingling freely with media and spectators alike. The class, and professionalism of this true gentleman was a wonderful example to all and sundry, and I feel privileged to have observed him at close quarters.
Having grown up admiring Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, I always saw Watson as an obstacle to two of my favorite golfers’ pursuit of victory. However, I am now committed to supporting Tom Watson ahead of any other competitor, because of the man, as much as the golfer.
My respect for him was enhanced by a conversation I had with the former Liverpool Captain Alan Hansen over dinner last September, when he told me how charming Watson had been when he interviewed him for a BBC Television feature several years ago. Alan said he had been at Turnberry following every shot of the epic duel in 1977, willing his golfing hero Jack Nicklaus to victory. Alan’s annoyance at Watson for winning at Turnberry, was something he admitted to holding onto for many years, until he had the chance to spend time in his company. In the process, the golf-mad footballing Scot became a fervent, life-time admirer of the charming gentleman from Kansas.
It highlights how, (irrespective of performance) good manners and human decency are the critical to being a successful human being, especially in an age which often places material wealth, celebrity, and fame as the measure of ‘success’. It is said that people should never meet their heroes in life, just in case they have ‘feet of clay’. However, I imagine that anyone who admires Tom Watson, and then meets him, will feel vindicated for admiring such a great Champion.
Watson’s interview last night revealed a deep love and respect for the game of golf. He also shared his respect for St Andrews, the Open Championship, the people of Great Britain, and the wonderful support he appreciates from the knowledgeable golfing public who he said makes playing in the UK such a great experience.
Last night, I witnessed a quality individual make a graceful departure from one of the greatest stages in sport: an iconic event at an iconic venue.
Tom Watson: one of the best ambassadors for sport. What a golfer. What a man.
